Pneumatic suspension axle return device

ABSTRACT

Simple two-part seat block and adjustment mounting plate units, as applied between a transverse wheel axle and each of a pair of parallel, leaf-type spring beams, enable an efficient and expeditious two-way adjustment of the positioning of the beams in relation to the axle, and vice versa, as well as air spring units and axle return devices and/or shock absorbers which are (or may be) associated with the beams and axle. Arcuate seats of the blocks matingly receive the axle adjacent opposite frame sides and, when properly positioned on the adjustment plate in a desired transverse and longitudinal relationship to the axle and beams, are tack welded to the top of the plates and to the bottom of the axle. U-bolts then clamp the axle and seat assemblies to the top of the beam.

United States Patent [151 3,674,249

McGee July 4, 1972 s41 PNEUMATIC SUSPENSION AXLE 3,093,388 6/1963 Kulyk..280/81 RETURN DEVICE Primary ExaminerPhilip Goodman [72] Inventor:Donald McGee, Troy! Mich- AttorneyWhittemore, Hulbert & Belknap 73 Assinee: H & H E ui ment Com D t 't, 1 g Mich q D C 57 ABSTRACT [22] Wed:July 13, 1970 Simple two-part seat block and adjustment mounting plateunits, as applied between a transverse wheel axle and each of a PP N0554,467 pair of parallel, leaf-type spring beams, enable an efficient andexpeditious two-way adjustment of the positioning of the beams inrelation to the axle, and vice versa, as well as air US. Cl. ..267/52, pg units and axle return devices and/0r Shock absorbers [58] Field ofSearch 280/124 18 which are (or may be) associated with the beams andaxle. Ar-

"""""""" cuate seats of the blocks matingly receive the axle adjacentopposite frame sides and, when properly positioned on the adjustmentplate in a desired transverse and longitudinal rela- [56] keerencgsCited tionship to the axle and beams, are tack welded to the top ofUNITED STATES PATENTS the plates and to the bottom of the axle. U-boltsthen clamp the axle and seat assemblies to the top of the beam.3,494,609 2/1970 Harbers ..267/52 1,832,617 ll/l93l Cail ..267/52 23Claims, 5 Drawing Figures l2 l3 is l 4O 38 35 28 X 11511 N f j; j 5 2s a35 43 42 3| 29 57 30 2| 53 A 1 S s j i l5 '9 I! L M rm 4s l6 bPATENTEDJUM m2 3574,2 49 sum 10F 2 INVENTOR DONA D J. McGEE ATTORNEYSP'A'TENTEDJULM I972 3 674, 249 sum 2 0F 2 56 INVENTOR DONAILD J. MCGEEBY M%, 4% 549% ATTORNEYS PNEUMATIC SUSPENSION AXLE RETURN DEVICEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The inventionfinds application in the field of truck or trailer wheel suspensions, inwhich there may be one or more so-called suspended wheel axles eachbearing a portion of the load on the frame, as transmitted throughinflated air springs and supporting cantilever or like beams in a pay"direction of transport, but being elevated above the road or othersurface on return trips to minimize tire wear, or when the vehicle isidle. This may optionally be done through the agency of a suitableoperator compressing the wholly or partially deflated air springs. Theimprovement of the invention afiords a simple adjustable connectionbetween the suspended axle and a standard spring beam or otherequivalent floating mechanical mount of the axle to the frame.

2. Description of the Prior Art A preliminary investigation has revealeda number of patents with pneumatic suspensions having an axle return feature, among them the US. Pats. to Kulyk, No. 3,093,388 of June 6, 1963,and Turner, No. 3,285,621, of Nov. 11, 1966. However, none of thereferences revealed by the search deal in any degree with any equivalentof the specific adjustable mount which is the subject of the presentinvention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention centers upon a very simple axlemounting plate and seat unit or device, by which the connection betweenan upwardly retractable air bag and spring beamsuspended wheel axle, anda return operator for the latter, may be made at a number of points inreference to the width of the frame (hence the transverse spacing of thelongitudinal beams engaged from above by the air bags) and/or thelongitudinal spacing of the latter from the axle in the direction of thebeam length.

As herein illustrated and described, the suspension arrangement mayinvolve optional spring-biased return lever arms rigidly welded to thesuspended axle outwardly of the two vehicle side frame members forelevating the axle upon decompression of the associated air springs,and/or optional shock absorber means connecting the spring beams to anadapter bracket structure rigid with the frame. The actual mounting unitimprovement of the invention involves at each of the floating beamsupports, a simple rectangular adjustment plate resting on the beam, andan arcuately upwardly concave seat block welded downwardly, whenproperly adjusted as desired, onto its associated plate, with each seatin turn rigidly welded upwardly to the suspended axle. Further pursuantto the invention, spring tie-bolt units rigidly connect the welded seatand adjustment plate sub-assembly, hence the axle, to the top of theassociated spring beam.

Thus the invention affords a customized adjustably positioned,longitudinal-wise and transverse-wise, connection of the axle and beammembers, which connection may be quickly made in the field or in theshop, using hand tack welding equipment.

The adjustable mount, as shown and described herein in an optionalassociation with spring-biased lever arm units outside the frame forupwardly retracting the axle when the air springs are deflated,accommodates the usual brake assemblies of the vehicle withoutinterference; and a preferred generally horizontal disposition of coilspring biasing means for the axle lever arms contributes to an economyof space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRANINGS FIG. 2 is a view partially broken awayin side elevation, or in vertical cross section on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view in approximately vertical section on line3-3 of FIG. 2, better illustrating structural features of the adjustablemount of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a view in vertical cross section on line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a view, generally similar to FIG. 2, illustrating analternative, and but slightly modified, trailer axle suspension versionof the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A typical truck suspensionassembly employing the improved adjustable axle-beam mounting structureof the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10, asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. For the purpose of illustration,it will be assumed that there will be one such assembly 10 on each ofthe parallel sides of an ordinary truck frame structure (not shown); andfor the purpose of mounting to that structure, each assembly 10 includesa sub-frame plate unit 12 welded, bolted or otherwise rigidly secured tosaid structure on an outer side of the latter. Unit 12 is herein shownas being in the form of a vertically extending angle member 13presenting an upwardly elongated and horizontally extending flange 13,and a horizontal portion 1.3" coextensive in length therewith, bothsubstantially spanning the longitudinal extent of one of the assemblies.

Each of the latter has an identical spring beam and air springsuspension sub-assembly of more-or-less conventional components whichare best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, each of the angle members13 has a pair of vertically depending, laterally flanged adapter plates1.4 welded to its opposite sides, the connections being assisted byinterposed spacing and bracing plate elements as required; and theadapters 14 support adjacent their lower end a transverse hex-headedstud 15, with a nut 15' applied thereto. Each stud is encircled, betweenits adapter plates 14, by a :silent cylindrical rubber sleeve or blockbushing 16, which supports the leading end of an elongated leaf springtype of cantilever beam 18.

Each such beam is comprised of upper and lower leaf members 19, 20 ofequal width in flat-wise contact with one another, the ends of thesemembers being snugly arced concentrically at 21 about the compressiblebushing 16. The rear ends of each of the thus-constituted beams 18 areeach engaged from above by a conventional inflatable air spring orcushion unit 23, as by a base 24 of that unit secured by a bolt 25 tothe beam end; and the upper end of the unit 23 is rigidly connected tothe bottom of the horizontal flange portion 13' of a side angle 13 ofthe assembly 10, as at a circular top pressure plate 26 of unit 23. Arigidly welded side bracket 27 may assist in the connection. Typicallythe air spring may have a working height range of 4-1 1.

The truck suspension assembly 10 herein chosen for illustration isassisted in the return of a trailing axle A from a road engagingposition to an elevated position by means of a coil spring biased armunit, generally designated by the reference numeral 28, and a shockabsorber unit 29 of a conventional hydraulic type, whose function is todampen oscillations in transport, as well as to limit downward extensionof the axle.

The spring biased return unit 28 includes an actuator arm 30 which isfirmly welded to the top of axle A, as through the agency of an arcuateweld pad 30'. As indicated above, one aspect of the present inventiondeals only with structural features of the bi-directionally adjustableconnection of the cantilever beam unit 18 to the axle A, without regardto the presence or absence of the spring return sub-assembly or unit 28and/or the shock absorber unit 29. However, the arrangements hereinshown and described also present features of practical advantage whenone or both of the last named units are employed.

The actuator arm 30 of return unit 28 is, as best shown in FIG. 1, of aspecial contour including a horizontally looped upper and rearwardextension 31 apertured to receive an elongated stud 33; and this studacts on the tapered forward end 34 of an elongated coil tension spring35 (FIG. 2). The spring extends rearwardly from a threaded nut and locknut connection 36 at the loop extension 31 to an anchor at its forwardhook 38 on a stud 39 which bolts to angle plate 13, the bolt head takingagainst a suitable washer 40. A generally horizontal disposition of thespring 35 enables it to exert force on the moment-increasing actuatorarm 30 with a maximum economy of space, and without interference withbrake and/or operating and drive components, as later mentioned.

In operation, the return unit spring 28, upon a decompression of the airbag 23 under the control of a conventional type of fluid pressurecontrol circuit not germane to the invention, acts through agency of theforce-multiplying eccentric actuator arm 30 to elevate the wheel axle Aand lift the wheels borne by the axle, out of position for roadengagement.

The shock absorber units 29, capable of use with or without the returnunit 28, are widely obtainable, each typically including a hydraulicfluid-receiving body 42 which extends downwardly and forwardly from apivoted stud connection at 43 to the frame bracket sub-structure 14, 14.The unit 19 is completed by another telescoping component 44, which hasan appropriate stud connection 45 welded to the bottom of the springbeam 18.

The improved mounting unit which enables a longitudinal and/ortransverse adjustment of the connection between the spring beam 18 andthe axle A is generally designated by the reference numeral 48. As bestillustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, it comprises a rectangular adjustmentplate 49 which seats downwardly upon the upper leaf 19 of the beam 18,and is provided with a center hole to accommodate the head of a bolt orstud 50 rigidly tying the beam leafs 19 and together at a point medialof their combined length; with a nut 51 applied to the lower end of thetie-bolt 49.

An axle-engaging seat or saddle block 52 of the adjustment unit 48 restsatop the adjustment plate 49, the seat block 52 having an arcuatelyupwardly facing seat surface 52' of somewhat less than 180 arcuateextent, in a radius to matingly receive the bottom half of axle A. Apair of like U- bolts 53 engage over the top of the axle in spacedrelation to one another along the axis of the latter, i.e., in thetransverse sense in reference to the front-to-rear longitudinal extentof the spring beam 18. The U-bolts project downwardly on either side ofthe mounting unit 48 (FIG. 3), with their threaded ends projectingthrough corner holes of a bottom saddle member 55. This member upwardlystraddles the width of the beam 18, and nuts 56 applied to the U-boltends take them up tightly when the unit 48 has been adjustablypositioned and weldsecured as contemplated by the invention, in a mannerto be described. The bights of the U-bolts 53 engage the axle throughthe agency of interposed arcuate cap pads 57 which are concavely matedover a part of the top surface of axle A.

In practicing the invention, with the mounting plate 49 of the unit 48in place over the beam leaf tie-bolt 50, the seat block member 52 isadjustably positioned in relation to the plate 49 and the axle A andbeam 18 so as to effect the desired longitudinal and/or transversepositional adjustment and securement of these components to one another.

Pursuant to the invention, the seat 52 is approximately onehalf inchnarrower than the plate 49 in the direction of the axle axis, ortransversely of the spring beam leafs 19, 20. The seat 52 is also about1 inch narrower than the plate 49 in the 90 opposite dimension, i.e.,longitudinal of the front-rear extent of beam 18. This therefore allowsthe seat or saddle 52 to be adjustably positioned in one direction oranother along the axle length or transversely of the beam length, asindicated by the double-headed arrow in FIG. 3. For the relativedimensions instanced above, this amounts to an adjustment of up toone-fourth inch in either direction transverse of the spring beam 18.Similarly, a longitudinal adjustment in either direction along the beamlength, as indicated by the doubleheaded arrow in FIG. 4, is possible tothe extent of up to onehalf inch in either such direction.

The adjustment as depicted in FIG. 3 accommodates the beam-to-axleconnection 48, as appears in dot-dash line in FIG. 1 for different framewidths of, for example, 34 to 35 inches. The other adjustment asdepicted in FIG. 4 (also indicated in dotted line in FIG. L) makespossible a fore and aft adjustment as between vehicle axles and/or theline of vertical action of the air spring unit 23.

With the compounded seat adjustment thus arrived at, the seat block 52is marginally tack-welded downwardly onto the tap of plate 49, as at 59(FIGS. 2 and 4); whereupon the seat block is marginally welded at 59(FIGS. 3 and 4) to the axle A. The U-bolts 53 are then applied to theaxle and taken up, thus completing the assembly.

FIG. 5 illustrates a usage of the improvement of the invention in atrailer installation, this embodiment being generally designated 10'. Inthis distance, it sufiices that only a single leaf 20' of the compositebeam 18' be wrapped about the resilient sleeve or bushing 16 for a mountto the forward end studs 15'. In all other respects, the features of theinvention are identical to those described above in reference to FIGS.1-4 inclusive. Accordingly, corresponding parts are simply designated bycorresponding reference numerals, primed, and further description isdispensed with.

It may be noted that in both FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 the offsetting of thespring return unit 28 to the outside of the sub-frame structure 12 (or12), which is itself arranged outside of the frame members proper (notshown) of the vehicle, places those units in a zone in which there is nointerference with the vehicles brake shaft S, the position of which isindicated in dot-dash line, or with other conventional operatingcomponents of the brake assembly.

What is claimed is:

1. A unit for use in adjustably connecting a wheel axle or liketransversely extending part and a beam or like longitudinally extendingpart coacting with said first named part in at least partiallysustaining a frame stmcture, said unit being interposed between saidparts and comprising a mounting plate member engaging one of said parts,a seat member engaging the other part, said members being adjustablypositioned in engagement with one another to obtain a desired positionalrelationship transverse-wise of said parts to one another, connectionsincluding weld means securing said seat and plate members together, asthus adjustably positioned relative to one another, and means forsecuring the thus-secured members to said respective parts.

2. A unit for use in adjustably connecting a transversely extendingwheel axle and a longitudinally extending suspension beam coacting withsaid axle in at least partially sustaining a frame structure, said unitbeing interposed between said axle and beam and comprising a mountingplate member engaging said beam, a seat member having an arcuate seatsurface matingly engaging said axle, said members being adjustablypositioned in engagement with one another to obtain a desired positionalrelationship, longitudinal-wise and transverse-wise, of said beam andaxle to one another, connections including weld means securing said seatand plate members together, as thus adjustably positioned relative toone another, and means for securing the thus-secured members to saidaxle and beam.

3. A unit for use in adjustably connecting a wheel axle or liketransversely extending part and a beam or like longitudinally extendingpart coacting with said first named part in at least partiallysustaining a frame structure, said unit being interposed between saidparts and comprising a mounting plate member engaging one of said parts,a seat member engaging the other part, said members being adjustablypositioned in engagement with one another to obtain a desired positionalrelationship of said parts to one another, and connections securing saidseat and plate members together, as thus adjustably positioned relativeto one another, and for securing the respective members to said parts,said connections including welded unions of said members in engagementwith one another as thus adjustably positioned.

4. A unit for use in adjustably connecting a transversely extendingwheel axle and a longitudinally extending suspension beam coacting withsaid axle in at least partially sustaining a frame structure, said unitbeing interposed between said axle and beam and comprising a mountingplate member engaging said beam, a seat member having an arcuate seatsurface matingly engaging said axle, said members being adjustablypositioned in engagement with one another to obtain a desired positionalrelationship of said beam and axle to one another, and connectionssecuring said seat and plate members together, as thus adjustablypositioned relative to one another, and for securing the respectivemembers to said axle and beam, said connections including welded unionsof said members in engagement with one another as thus adjustablypositioned.

5. The unit of claim 3, in which said connections further comprisebolted means connecting the weld-united members between said parts.

6. The unit of claim 4, in which said connections further comprisebolted means connecting the weld-united members between said axle andbeam.

7. The unit of claim 3, in which said connections further compriseU-bolt means connecting the weld-united members between said parts.

8. The unit of claim 4, in which said connections further compriseU-bolt means connecting the weld-united members between said axle andbeam upwardly encircling the axle.

9. The combination of a unit in accordance with claim 1 with aselectively inflatable and deflatable fluid pressure device interposedand coacting between said frame structure and said one of said parts inthe optional sustaining of said structure on the other part.

10. The combination of a unit in accordance with claim 2, with aselectively inflatable and deflatable pressure device interposed andcoacting between said frame structure and said beam in the optionalsustaining of said structure on said axle.

11. The combination of a unit in accordance with claim 4 with aselectively inflatable and deflatable pressure device interposed andcoacting between said frame structure and said beam in the optionalsustaining of said structure on said axle.

12. The combination of a unit in accordance with claim 8 with aselectively inflatable and deflatable pressure device interposed andcoacting between said frame structure and said beam in the optionalsustaining of said structure on said axle.

13. The combination of claim 9, and further comprising a mechanismoperatively connected between said frame structure and one of said partsto assist in the operation of said fluid pressure device.

14. The combination of claim 9, and further comprising a spring-biasedmechanism acting between said frame structure and said other part toassist in shifting the latter relative to the frame structure when saidfluid pressure device is at least partially deflated.

15. The combination of claim 12, and further comprising a spring-biasedmechanism acting between said frame structure and said axle to assist inshifting the latter relative to the frame structure when said fluidpressure device is at least partially deflated.

16. The combination of claim 9, and further comprising a shock absorbermechanism operatively connected between said frame structure and onepart to stabilize the action of the latter.

17. The combination of claim 12, and further comprising a shock absorbermechanism operatively connected between said frame structure and saidbeam to stabilize the action of the latter.

18. A unit for use in adjustably connecting a wheel axle or liketransversely extending part and a beam or like longitudinally extendingpart coacting with said first named part in at least partiallysustaining a frame structure, said unit being interposed between saidparts and comprising a mounting plate member engaging one of said parts,a seat member engaging the other part, said members being adjustablypositioned in engagement with one another to obtain a desired positionalrelationship lonlgitudinal-wise of said parts to one another,connections mc uding weld means securing said seat and plate memberstogether, as thus adjustably positioned relative to one another, andmeans for securing the thus-secured members to said respective parts.

19. A unit for use in adjustably connecting a wheel axle or liketransversely extending part and a beam or like longitudinally extendingpart coacting with said first named part in at least partiallysustaining a frame structure, said unit being interposed between saidparts and comprising a mounting plate member engaging one of said parts,a seat member engaging the other part, said members being adjustablypositioned in engagement with one another to obtain a desired positionalrelationship, longitudinal-wise and transverse-wise, of said parts toone another, connections including weld means securing said seat andplate members together, as thus adjustably positioned relative to oneanother, and. means for securing the thus-secured members to saidrespective parts.

20. The unit of claim 1, in which said seat and mounting members are ofdifferent area at an engaged interface thereof to enable a significantrelative adjustment thereof in the transverse sense prior to initialwelded securement of the members to one another.

21. The unit of claim 2, in which said seat and mounting members are ofdifferent area at an engaged interface thereof to enable a significantrelative adjustment thereof in the transverse and longitudinal senseprior to initial welded securement of the members to one another.

22. The unit of claim 18, in which said seat and mounting members are ofdifferent area at an engaged interface thereof to enable a significantrelative adjustment thereof in the longitudinal sense prior to initialwelded securement of the members to one another.

23. The unit of claim 19, in which said seat and mounting members are ofdifferent area at an engaged interface thereof to enable a significantrelative adjustment thereof in the transverse and longitudinal senseprior to initial welded securement of the members to one another.

1. A unit for use in adjustably connecting a wheel axle or liketransversely extending part and a beam or like longitudinally extendingpart coacting with said first named part in at least partiallysustaining a frame structure, said unit being interposed between saidparts and comprising a mounting plate member engaging one of said parts,a seat member engaging the other part, said members being adjustablypositioned in engagement with one another to obtain a deSired positionalrelationship transverse-wise of said parts to one another, connectionsincluding weld means securing said seat and plate members together, asthus adjustably positioned relative to one another, and means forsecuring the thus-secured members to said respective parts.
 2. A unitfor use in adjustably connecting a transversely extending wheel axle anda longitudinally extending suspension beam coacting with said axle in atleast partially sustaining a frame structure, said unit being interposedbetween said axle and beam and comprising a mounting plate memberengaging said beam, a seat member having an arcuate seat surfacematingly engaging said axle, said members being adjustably positioned inengagement with one another to obtain a desired positional relationship,longitudinal-wise and transverse-wise, of said beam and axle to oneanother, connections including weld means securing said seat and platemembers together, as thus adjustably positioned relative to one another,and means for securing the thus-secured members to said axle and beam.3. A unit for use in adjustably connecting a wheel axle or liketransversely extending part and a beam or like longitudinally extendingpart coacting with said first named part in at least partiallysustaining a frame structure, said unit being interposed between saidparts and comprising a mounting plate member engaging one of said parts,a seat member engaging the other part, said members being adjustablypositioned in engagement with one another to obtain a desired positionalrelationship of said parts to one another, and connections securing saidseat and plate members together, as thus adjustably positioned relativeto one another, and for securing the respective members to said parts,said connections including welded unions of said members in engagementwith one another as thus adjustably positioned.
 4. A unit for use inadjustably connecting a transversely extending wheel axle and alongitudinally extending suspension beam coacting with said axle in atleast partially sustaining a frame structure, said unit being interposedbetween said axle and beam and comprising a mounting plate memberengaging said beam, a seat member having an arcuate seat surfacematingly engaging said axle, said members being adjustably positioned inengagement with one another to obtain a desired positional relationshipof said beam and axle to one another, and connections securing said seatand plate members together, as thus adjustably positioned relative toone another, and for securing the respective members to said axle andbeam, said connections including welded unions of said members inengagement with one another as thus adjustably positioned.
 5. The unitof claim 3, in which said connections further comprise bolted meansconnecting the weld-united members between said parts.
 6. The unit ofclaim 4, in which said connections further comprise bolted meansconnecting the weld-united members between said axle and beam.
 7. Theunit of claim 3, in which said connections further comprise U-bolt meansconnecting the weld-united members between said parts.
 8. The unit ofclaim 4, in which said connections further comprise U-bolt meansconnecting the weld-united members between said axle and beam upwardlyencircling the axle.
 9. The combination of a unit in accordance withclaim 1 with a selectively inflatable and deflatable fluid pressuredevice interposed and coacting between said frame structure and said oneof said parts in the optional sustaining of said structure on the otherpart.
 10. The combination of a unit in accordance with claim 2, with aselectively inflatable and deflatable pressure device interposed andcoacting between said frame structure and said beam in the optionalsustaining of said structure on said axle.
 11. The combination of a unitin accordance with claim 4 with a selectively inflatable and deflatablepressure device interposed and coacting between said frame structure andSaid beam in the optional sustaining of said structure on said axle. 12.The combination of a unit in accordance with claim 8 with a selectivelyinflatable and deflatable pressure device interposed and coactingbetween said frame structure and said beam in the optional sustaining ofsaid structure on said axle.
 13. The combination of claim 9, and furthercomprising a mechanism operatively connected between said framestructure and one of said parts to assist in the operation of said fluidpressure device.
 14. The combination of claim 9, and further comprisinga spring-biased mechanism acting between said frame structure and saidother part to assist in shifting the latter relative to the framestructure when said fluid pressure device is at least partiallydeflated.
 15. The combination of claim 12, and further comprising aspring-biased mechanism acting between said frame structure and saidaxle to assist in shifting the latter relative to the frame structurewhen said fluid pressure device is at least partially deflated.
 16. Thecombination of claim 9, and further comprising a shock absorbermechanism operatively connected between said frame structure and onepart to stabilize the action of the latter.
 17. The combination of claim12, and further comprising a shock absorber mechanism operativelyconnected between said frame structure and said beam to stabilize theaction of the latter.
 18. A unit for use in adjustably connecting awheel axle or like transversely extending part and a beam or likelongitudinally extending part coacting with said first named part in atleast partially sustaining a frame structure, said unit being interposedbetween said parts and comprising a mounting plate member engaging oneof said parts, a seat member engaging the other part, said members beingadjustably positioned in engagement with one another to obtain a desiredpositional relationship longitudinal-wise of said parts to one another,connections including weld means securing said seat and plate memberstogether, as thus adjustably positioned relative to one another, andmeans for securing the thus-secured members to said respective parts.19. A unit for use in adjustably connecting a wheel axle or liketransversely extending part and a beam or like longitudinally extendingpart coacting with said first named part in at least partiallysustaining a frame structure, said unit being interposed between saidparts and comprising a mounting plate member engaging one of said parts,a seat member engaging the other part, said members being adjustablypositioned in engagement with one another to obtain a desired positionalrelationship, longitudinal-wise and transverse-wise, of said parts toone another, connections including weld means securing said seat andplate members together, as thus adjustably positioned relative to oneanother, and means for securing the thus-secured members to saidrespective parts.
 20. The unit of claim 1, in which said seat andmounting members are of different area at an engaged interface thereofto enable a significant relative adjustment thereof in the transversesense prior to initial welded securement of the members to one another.21. The unit of claim 2, in which said seat and mounting members are ofdifferent area at an engaged interface thereof to enable a significantrelative adjustment thereof in the transverse and longitudinal senseprior to initial welded securement of the members to one another. 22.The unit of claim 18, in which said seat and mounting members are ofdifferent area at an engaged interface thereof to enable a significantrelative adjustment thereof in the longitudinal sense prior to initialwelded securement of the members to one another.
 23. The unit of claim19, in which said seat and mounting members are of different area at anengaged interface thereof to enable a significant relative adjustmentthereof in the transverse and longitudinal sense prior to initial weldedsecurement of the members to onE another.